January 24, 2010

THE AVENGERS & MATT HELM: WATCHDOG

THE AVENGERS & MATT HELM: WATCHDOGSpy Vibers will want to stop by Barnes and Noble this weekend and pick up a copy of issue #154 of Video Watchdog. The front and back cover not only feature beautiful photos of John Steed and Cathy Gale from The Avengers, but also cinema's original international man of mystery, Matt Helm. Much of the issue is devoted to writer Kim Newman's excellent (and thorough!) coverage of surviving episodes of the first season of The Avengers as well as complete coverage of season two episodes in the order they were originally taped. In addition to the meaty, Spy Vibe tasty text, Newman provides a number of fantastic photographs. If that wasn't enough to whet your secret agent appetites, Newman also reviews the Matt Helm Lounge box set of the four Dean Martin classics, The Silencers, Murderers' Row, The Ambushers, and The Wrecking Crew. If you can't find Video Watchdog at your local retailer, you can also order issues directly from them here.

Fellow C.O.B.R.A.S. agent Bish reported recently about another special edition magazine on stands now. Put together by the editors of American History, "100 Greatest Spy Movies" is available at Borders and other retailers. The magazine highlights most of the top espionage thrillers throughout cinema history. Though I did not see Deadlier Than the Male listed (what gives?), I did note the newsworthy mention of Triple Agent by French New Wave auteur, Eric Rohmer, who recently passed away. Titles covered from the 1960s are: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Goldfinger, Manchurian Candidate, Ipcress File, Dr. No, Funeral in Berlin, Looking Glass War, Army of Shadows, The Deadly Affair, From Russia With Love, The War is Over, Torn Curtain, The Counterfeit Traitor, Our Man Flint, Operation Crossbow, Billion Dollar Brain, Guns of Navarone, The Venetian Affair, Modesty Blaise, Ice Station Zebra, and Quiller Memorandum. The films are not listed in order of rank or alphabet, so I'm hoping a Spy Vibe reader will uncover a code. The magazine also features many sidebars about how some of the films relate to real spy cases in history.

1 comment:

Hey pallie, thanks so much for puttin' all Dino-lovers on to this new review of our Dino's quartet of Matt Helm Capers...can't wait to get my copy of this mag....hever was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool...oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth...

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Jason Whiton

Jason Whiton is an award-winning writer, artist, educator, and the creator of Spy Vibe, a website devoted to Cold War design and pop culture that has seen nearly two-million visitors. His publications include Rolling Stone, USA Weekend, & Mort Walker Conversations. His book Spy Vibe will be released in 2017. Whiton's work as a screenwriter and filmmaker has been recognized by the Nicholl Fellowships (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences), PBS, and major film festivals and museums. His most recent piece is a music re-mix and award-winning film for Yoko Ono. Whiton's spy novel about a 1960s fashion model, MIKI ZERO, is out with agents. The story is inspired by his passion for Ian Fleming and the culture of Japan, where he lived for many years.
Jason loves creative projects & collaborations, and he enjoys helping young people to explore their lives as artists. He teaches Art in San Francisco.